Cotton-grader



(No Model.)

L. A GREENE. OOTTGNGRADER.

No. 499,358. PatentedJune 13, 1893.

IQ. reens.

Tm: Noam: PETERS ca. mrautm.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

NITED STATES I ATENT OFFICE.

LEMUAL A. GREENE, OF GREERS, SOUTH CAROLINA.

'COTTON-GRADER.

SPECIFIGATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 499,358, dated June 13, 1893.

Application filed September 12, 1892. Serial No. 445,667. (No model.)

. as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

. It is Well known that under differentlights or conditions of light, a sample of raw cotton will appear to be of different qualities; and it is extremely difficult for a purchaser, unless well acquainted with the light of the apartment in which the sample is exhibited, to determine the quality of such sample.

The prime object of my present invention is to provide a device by means of which a sample of raw cotton of unknown quality can be placed under the same condition of light as a sample the quality of which is known for the purposes of comparison.

A secondary object is to provide a simple, compact and neat appearing device for accomplishing the result above set forth.

WVith these ends in view my invention consists of an inclosing case provided with a transparent cover under which samples of cotton may be placed for purposes of comparison.

My invention further consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully pointed out an claimed.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved cotton grader. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the same.

Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings, referring to Which- A designates a shallow shell or case of any desired size and material, the interior of which is preferably divided into a series of compartments by means of a series of parallel transverse division plates B firmly attached to the shell A in any suitable and desirable manner.

The case or shell A is provided with an immovable transparent cover or top 0 which extends or projects forward beyond one side of the shell, as shown. The top 0 is preferably made of magnifying glass and the edges of the projecting portion thereof are strengthened and protected by means of protection strips D, preferably composed of metal, which extend over the edges and are firmlysecured in position on the top 0.

The rear of the case or shell A is closed by a longitudinally movable slide E. In the drawings this slide is shown as having its upper and lower edges bent so as to pass over ribs on the bottom'of theshell A and the rear portion of the frame of the cover 0 thereof; but any other desired means may be employed for supporting the slide E on the case A.

The manner of using my improved cotton grader is as followsA sample of cotton of a certain grade is placed in one of the compartments of the case A by withdrawing the slide E sufficiently far to expose the rear open end of the compartment. By placing a sample of cotton of unknown quality or grade under the projecting portion of the transparent cover 0 it will be subject to the same condition of light as the sample in the case and it can be easily seen whether or not they are of the same quality. By placing samples of difierent grades in different compartments of the case A a purchaser can quickly and readily determine the quality or grade of cotton he is buying.

The device can be made small and light enough to be carried in a persons pocket or in-a suitable case provided for that purpose.

I am aware that changes in the form and proportion of parts and details ofconstruction of the devices herein shown and described as an embodiment of my invention can be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the same.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an article of manufacture, a shell or case provided with a transparent top which projects or extends beyond one side of the case, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a shell or case provided with a top of magnifying glass which extends or projects beyond one side of i the case or shell, substantially as and for the purpose described.

or shell and a longitudinally movable slide arranged to close one of the sides of the shell, substantially as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in 15 presence of two witnesses.

LEMUAL A. GREENE. Witnesses:

J. H. PAYNE, T. T. WEsTMoRELANn. 

